Diversity, Social Inclusion & Safety

Outcomes 13, 14, 15

Ontario wants youth to:

Experience social inclusion and value diversity

Feel safe at home, at school, online and in their communities

Respect, and be respected by, the law and the justice system

"Canadians embrace multiculturalism, human rights and diversity as fundamental values. However, there are ongoing incidents of discrimination in our society that require our continuing attention. Bullying, hate propaganda and cyberbullying are major concerns for parents and students. Racism, religious intolerance, homophobia and gender-based violence are still evident in our communities and, unfortunately, in our schools...

Ontario is Canada’s most diverse province, and we must find solutions to these concerns. We must address the needs of a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society by ensuring that our policies evolve with changing societal needs." —Ministry of Education, “Quick Facts: Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy” (2013)

This year, Ontario launched strategies that focus on improving youth outcomes related to diversity, social inclusion and safety. In addition, the province announced new, enhanced or expanded “whole of population” strategies that will have a significant impact on youth. These strategies and programs include:

The Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy

It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment

Ontario’s Culture Strategy

Immigration and settlement

Youth Justice Services

Strategies and Programs Supporting Outcomes

The Journey Together: Ontario’s Commitment to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Lead: Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

New! On May 30, 2016, the Premier made a historic statement of commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and a formal apology for the policies and practices supported by past Ontario governments, and the harm they caused.

Understanding and addressing the legacy of residential schools, including addressing overt and systemic racism through an Indigenous-focused Anti-racism Strategy. The strategy will include Indigenous-led approaches in engagement with youth in dialogues about racism, stereotypes and respectful dialogue.

Closing gaps and removing barriers, including supporting culturally based suicide prevention strategies for children and youth, and providing crisis intervention supports in schools across Ontario.

Supporting Indigenous culture and language revitalization, which is key for youth identity and resiliency. This initiative includes support for youth cultural camps in Indigenous communities to build youth leadership and promote awareness of traditional knowledge.

Related:

In support of this commitment, Ontario’s education curriculum will include learning about residential schools, the legacy of colonialism, and the rights and responsibilities we all have to one another as treaty people.

Ontario Indigenous Children and Youth Strategy

Through the strategy, Indigenous communities and the government are building stronger bonds and improving services to meet the needs of Indigenous children and youth. This will enable the Indigenous community to have a holistic, culturally based and community-driven approach to children and youth services.

The vision of the strategy is for First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous children and youth to be healthy, happy, resilient, grounded in their cultures and languages, and thriving as individuals and as members of their families and Nations or communities.

Once the strategy is implemented, Indigenous communities and service providers in Ontario will have greater authority over child and family services. The strategy will also build Indigenous perspectives and cultures into all programs and policies.

The strategy is based on the following five pillars:

First Nations jurisdiction and control/Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous control

Prevention, culture and opportunities

Coordinated and responsive circle of care

Monitoring, evaluation and shared accountability

Transformed relationships and collaborative, holistic action

Related:

The province is supporting the Feathers of Hope (FOH) initiative, a multi-year action plan for First Nations young people led by the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth. This support enables the Advocate and the FOH Youth Amplifiers to voice the concerns of First Nations’ youth and to deliver on the initiative’s recommendations.

Through support from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Mushkegowuk Council is establishing a Mushkegowuk Youth Regional Coordination Unit. The purpose of the unit is to strengthen and coordinate supports for youth, youth workers, and youth-serving organizations across the seven Mushkegowuk Council First Nations (Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Chapleau Cree and Missanabie Cree First Nation). The unit’s key goals include:

Amplifying youth voice

Building community capacity

Supporting ongoing coordination and collaboration

The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council (OFNYPC) has been involved in a number of activities in support of First Nations youth. They include organizing a youth symposium focused on development of a post-Truth and Reconciliation strategy; participating in meetings to provide the youth voice during the annual Leaders in the Legislature event; and hosting a Climate Change Summit in fall 2016.

The Minister of Children and Youth Services committed to a yearly meeting with the OFNYPC and to ensure that First Nations children and youth continue to have a voice on an ongoing basis.

It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment

Leads: Ministries of the Status of Women, Community Safety and Correctional Services

Sexual assault can and does happen to anyone. It’s Never Okay is the government’s groundbreaking action plan to stop sexual violence and harassment. The government has committed $41 million over three years to support its implementation.

As of January 1, 2017, all publicly assisted postsecondary institutions and private career colleges are required to have stand-alone sexual violence policies. Policies must have been developed with student input and must be reviewed at least every three years.

Ontario’s Culture Strategy

Lead: Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport

New! Engagement in arts and culture is a catalyst for creative thinking and innovation. This year, Ontario launched its first Culture Strategy, which embraces our diversity and builds on initiatives already taking place. Initiatives include those meant to inspire the next generation and help youth build careers in the culture sector by:

Building new community partnerships to support high school students interested in learning more about or exploring careers in arts and culture

Related:

The Black History Month Act, 2016 formally recognizes February as Black History Month. It ensures that the uniqueness, vitality and continuing contributions of the Black community in Ontario will be celebrated for generations to come.

Immigration and Settlement

Lead: Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration

Ontario continued to collaborate with the federal and municipal governments and community partners to support settlement and integration of newcomers to Ontario. This year, efforts included taking action to welcome resettled refugees from Syria and other parts of the world.

Youth Justice Services

Lead: Ministry of Children and Youth Services

Youth justice services have transformed from a custody-focused system to a continuum of community-based and custodial programs. These services are designed to improve outcomes, create opportunities, meet diverse needs and successfully transition youth out of custody and into the community. Nine out of ten youth now receive service in the community.

New in this report:

The Youth Justice Outcomes Framework allows the ministry to comprehensively measure and show the impact of its programs and services on youth and their families. The framework combines data with experience surveys, which give youth a voice in the services that affect them. Along with supporting indicators and measures, the framework clearly defines intended youth outcomes:

SPOTLIGHT

Ontario Provincial Police Youth Initiatives

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Northern Community Youth Initiatives are youth programming and community wellness initiatives provided to remote First Nations communities. Through consultation with Chief, Council and school staff, programming needs are assessed and themes developed. During 2015–16, activities took place in:

What the Data Says

Young women, Indigenous women and women with disabilities are at a greater risk of experiencing sexual assault. Those who live with activity limitations are over two times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than those who are able bodied.16

Engagement in arts and culture, particularly for at-risk youth, is linked to improved social and problem-solving skills and higher academic achievement.17

More than 611,000 francophones live in Ontario. They are the largest French-speaking community in Canada outside of Quebec.

In 2016, Ontario expected to receive almost 18,000 resettled refugees from all sources. This figure is four times higher than the average annual arrivals over the 10-year period from 2005 to 2014.18

Data from the Profile of Youth Wellbeing

98.6% of Ontarians felt “safe” or “very safe” in their communities.

59.3% of youth believe officers in their local police force do a good job at treating people fairly.

Case Study

CANVAS

CANVAS is working to create a culture that is free from sexual violence, homophobia and transphobia.

CANVAS facilitators give unique interactive workshops that combine art with education and social action. Participants gain a critical understanding of consent, sexual pressures, rape culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. They also learn how to be advocates for change and support their peers.

Since August 2014, CANVAS has reached over 2,000 students and more than 1,000 youth workers, camp staff members, and lawyers. CANVAS has partnered with community organizations across Toronto and has received funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Toronto Arts Council, ArtReach, Laidlaw Foundation and the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

“I now know that we are the solution and the change.” —Middle School Student, Voice Integrative School